Scott Keyes
Sports Scene
Parents and coaches have the greatest impact on the lives of most successful athletes, and mothers fill more than their share of mentoring roles.
Moms are their kids’ biggest fans. For years, moms influence their children the most. They sacrifice a great deal so that their children have the opportunity to excel on their respective fields of play. Moms make sure their children are on time for practice. They help with long travel weekends, bouncing around from gym to gym across the country hoping that their children are exposed to the public eye, all the while building confidence and self-awareness.
For Freeland’s Lisa Jankoska, raising four kids, (Jessi, Jenni, Tori, and Jake) who are all athletic was a chore, but she admits she wouldn’t have had it any other way. Now that her youngest, Jake, is about to conclude his junior year of high school, she can’t believe the journey as a Freeland Falcon is almost over.
“You know, I really can’t believe that for nearly 16 years I have watched all of my kids grow up to be fine young adults and excelling in sports,” Jankoska said. “I mean, once Jake graduates, I won’t have any of my children left at Freeland. I really can’t believe that part of my life will be over, but the next part of my life is just beginning.”
Even if Jake doesn’t move on to the next level, Lisa will still have the opportunity to watch Tori excel at Michigan State University for at least two more seasons. During Tori’s freshman season, Lisa traveled to all but five MSU games while juggling Jake’s schedule and her work schedule. And there was a new addition to the family, Lisa’s first grandchild, Sophia.
Lisa admits that Sophia brought a sense of calm to her busy life. “When you start to have grandchildren, it really puts things in perspective,” she said. “You really sit back and want to enjoy every minute you can with her. I am so lucky I have been given the opportunity to have a flexible job that has allowed me the opportunity to see my kids grow as student-athletes while still keeping an active work environment. My mom (Carol Newbold) has been a huge help to me over the years. She has been tremendous stepping up and allowing me to see my kids’ games or keeping up with my hectic travel schedule.”
Moms know best
A fitting quote comes from Wilma Rudolph, who said, “The triumph can’t be had without the struggle. And I know what struggle is.”
The quote is about reaching any goal, whether it’s to lose weight, get healthy, or fulfill a childhood dream. There are many struggles that everyone must overcome, but it makes the achievement that much better when it’s realized. Parents, especially moms, continue to push forward and help their children find their way. Like Wilma, who had a loving family and involved coaches to help her learn to walk and then to run, we do not have to face our struggles alone. We can help each other through encouraging words and support, just as Wilma’s brothers and sisters lovingly massaged her legs. We can help each other to fulfill our dreams and to overcome our obstacles!
Belinda and Ken Dey, along with their children Isabella and Jalen, faced a lot of obstacles over the last year or so, but they have managed to overcome them by fighting through like prizefighters.
Because of Ken’s job, the family moved across the state, leaving behind friends and Belinda’s job and starting over in a a new city and school. That city happened to be Battle Creek.
The former Saginaw Township residents could have had a tough transition, but Belinda convinced her children that the move was going to be a smooth one. “As a mom, your first concern about the transition to a new school and town is your child’s well-being,” she said. “You absorb their fear and insecurity and try to be strong for them, while at the same time, you’re just as insecure and a little scared. When we first told them of the move, there was unhappiness, anger, and tears. It was very understandable, as they have had the same sports peers and friends since kindergarten in Saginaw Township. To start over in a new school and new town was terrifying. Isabella was literally the youngest student coming into Harper Creek Middle School.”
Jalen stood his ground right away. His third day in Harper Creek found him walking onto a football field for practice, not knowing one kid, and establishing his place on their football team. “Jalen and Bella have excelled their first year at HCMS and were recently both nominated by their teachers, making them the only brother/sister Students of the Month team the same year,” Belinda said.
“They are involved in Calhoun County Girls on the Run, Wattles Park Softball, HC Football, and HC LaCrosse. They have now embraced becoming Harper Creek Beavers.”
Keeping your head above water
Organized sports not only keep kids healthier physically, but mentally, as well. Research shows that children who play organized sports are frequently healthier and physically stronger than their less athletic peers — and they are smarter as well.
According to sports psychology author Jim Taylor, Ph.D., endurance sports have been found to enhance brain development and to raise IQ. In addition, he says that sports build confidence, develop focus, and teach kids about emotional control. “Kids learn essential life skills, such as hard work, patience, persistence, and how to respond positively to setbacks and failure,” Taylor says.
With that in mind, parents have a tendency to go way beyond the call of duty to ensure a child’s place on the field of play, and moms have been a constant every step of the way.
Tammy Trejo-Woodley is a busy single mom, who works as a correction officer at the state prison in Freeland, and who keeps up with her daughter, Aliya, a fifth grader at Kempton Elementary.
Aliya is an avid basketball player. Tammy was a standout athlete at Arthur Hill, while her older brother LaMarr Woodley currently plays in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders.
Tammy, along with other single moms Zetta England, Angela Young, and Annette Babers, helped launched Born 2 Ball, a new AAU basketball organization started and managed by AAU veteran basketball coaches and staff. Born 2 Ball was established to create a safe and nurturing environment, filled with fun and learning activities, in the city of Saginaw.
“We established these teams, not only to develop the skills at various levels of basketball, but also the roles of leadership, respect, and integrity,” Trejo-Woodley said. “These values help create a good environment of growth for our young ladies and the community they live in.”
No Regrets
For busy moms, family time sometimes seems nonexistent, but Jankoska said lately it has become a priority.
“With all my kids’ busy lives and the constant running around, it’s hard to get everyone together at the same time, but we try to ensure everyone is together on Sundays,” she said. “As your kids get older, you need that family time.”
Dey said she has experienced the trials and tribulations of being a sports mom firsthand. “As a sports mom, the biggest obstacle during a busy season is catching both games on a same day schedule,” she said. “We’ve had to separate, so that one parent is at each game, many times. We are sure to update scores and plays by text. Almost every night is a game or practice, and schedules cover our refrigerator. I’ve been snowed on, rained on, wind burned, and sun burned. I’ve had to skip birthdays, showers, and weddings. I’m a sports mom, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
